“I’ve got to get home earlier than two in the morning.” That was my goal for the last day of my speaking tour on Thursday. I was confirmed on a flight from Anchorage that was to arrive in Seattle at 2 a.m.
Around 48 hours prior to my flight home, I made a bunch of calls to the Alaska Airlines 800 number hoping to get on standby for the earlier 5 p.m. flight. Every call ended the same: that 5 p.m. flight is completely full.

Now. It’s Thursday. We finish our last day of training. It’s time to head for the Anchorage airport. We turn in our rental car, and, I head for the Alaska Airlines ticket counter. “Any room for me on your 5 p.m. flight to Seattle?” I asked.

The gal at the ticket counter said, “Nope. In fact, the earlier 3:25 p.m. flight was cancelled. Now. We’re overbooked. I can’t even put you on standby. You can go to the gate if you want to, but, you probably won’t get on.”

I head to Gate C3. I walk up to the gate agent and ask, “Any room for me on your 5 p.m. flight?” She replied, “Nope. In fact, I already have over 12 people on standby. But, you know what, let me put your name on the standby list anyway. Just have a seat. I won’t know what’s available until everyone boards.”

I jump up, grab my new boarding pass, and start running. I run past the terminal door — it slams shut behind me. I run down the bridge — the baggage guy grabs my bag — then his door slams shut behind him. I run onto the airplane — and the cockpit door slams shut and gets locked.

I’m on. I look around. Every seat is taken. And, the passengers are staring at me like, “Where the heck did you come from?”

I uncrumple my boarding pass, and look at my seat number. Connie gave me 1A. That’s the first seat — in First Class. In a word: Unbelievable.

HIRE sandra to speak at your next event

GET Sandra's Book

"Sandra's book shows you how to release your brakes, overcome your limitations and achieve your full potential!" —Brian Tracy, author of Eat That Frog

"No matter who you are or where you come from, this book will help you "No matter who you are or where you come from, this book will help you possible to live your dreams...it give you a step by step map and workbook to get you there." —Barbara Niven, Actress, Producer, Author

“In Get What You Really Want Without the Guilt, author Sandra Smith shows you that life change is not a mystery but rather a process. With candor, warmth and pragmatism, she takes you by the hand and leads you past resistance and doubt toward the life you secretly crave but have been afraid is out of reach. Not anymore!" —Libby Gill, the Dr. Phil Show, author of You Unstuck

"Sandra made a very practical guide for changing your life. In order to get what you really want, you need to have an action plan and she supports you with this. A great book that will stimulate you to take the next step."—Marie Diamond, featured Teacher in The Secret